The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that documentation is appropriate to verify eligibility and to support requests for reasonable accommodations, adjustments and/or aids and services on the basis of physical or medical disability that currently substantially limits one or more major life activities. Students are responsible for the costs associated with obtaining documentation.

1. A clear statement on professional letterhead of the medical or physical condition or disorder and the limitations that this condition imposes on the individual.
2. Any medications currently being taken for this condition that may impact on this student in the postsecondary educational and living environment.
3. Currency of documentation is dependent on the relative stability of the condition and its limitations. (For example, someone born totally blind need not update documentation of that blindness made in kindergarten, however someone with muscular dystrophy may need to update documentation regularly as the impact of the condition worsens and/or medication impacts change functional limitations.)

Professionals conducting medical examinations and rendering medical reports should be qualified to do so. Generally, professionals recognized as qualified to make the diagnosis are physicians and nurse practitioners, and in some cases, physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, low vision specials, etc., working in conjunction with specialists experienced with the particular condition. The diagnostician should be impartial and not a family member.

Students with physical and/or medical disabilities vary widely in type and extent of disabilities; therefore, individuals needing accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services for Students (DSS) to coordinate whatever assistance is needed.